The club was originally formed in 1909 under the name Dundee Hibernian by a local bicycle trader, Pat Reilly, who became the club's first manager.
The first game at Tannadice was a friendly with Hibs on 18th August 1909, which ended 1-1. Jamie Docherty was the club's forst ever goalscorer.
It wasn't until 1924 that the club adopted the name Dundee United (after being refused the name dundee city by rivals Dundee FC) and a new white and black kit replacing the original green and white one.
The club won promotion to the First Division for the first time the following season after winning the Second Division title.
The next ten years was spent trying to stay in the top flight or bouncing back from relegation, but the recession and World War 2 hit hard and it wasn't until the arrival of Jerry Kerr as manager that the club finally saw a return to the top flight for the first time in 28 years.
The club improved through the 60's, qualifying for European football and famously beating Barcelona in 1966. Their 2-1 away win was the first ever victory by a Scottish club on Spanish soil.